Slocum 50 Notes

 As usual, my Positively Racing cohort, Jeff Broeg has an excellent recap of the racing action last night at the 7th annual Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. So I will just add a few notes of my own following a good night of racing.
 If you are a regular reader of this column, you know that Brent Slocum and his family were and are very special to my family. Brent was the best man at my son Brents' wedding in 2003 after the two became friends while Slocum competed regularly at Quincy Raceways where son Brent was track announcer. My son, his wife and son were able to attend the race last night for the first time in a while, as my daughter in law has health issues that keep them away from regular visits to the tracks. This year was extra special for us, as my daughters son, Keagan, who has been going to the races with me for about 11 years now, will graduate from high school next month. Since the Slocum Foundation began awarding scholarships to high school seniors, it has been a goal of Keagans' to compose an essay worthy of an award. And last week he found out that he was one of the seven recipients in 2015. Although only eight years old at the time of Brents untimely passing, Keagan had been around the personable Slocum more than a few times, and was a High Five fan for sure. Although obviously far more difficult for the family, being in the stands with just grandpa on the night of  the accident had a profound effect on him, and I think receiving the scholarship was in part his way to honor Slocums' memory. The hard work, dedication and friendship from Brad, Jessi, and the Slocum family is very special to all of us.
  To say that we were lucky to witness a full night of racing last night is an understatement. It was almost like we were racing under a dome, as the rains circled all around the speedway. As they did last season when storms threatened the UMP Summernational late model show, Amy and Jeff Laue and their crew stepped up and did their best to move the show along. I don't know if the rain we drove home in ever found the speedway, but at one point I also mentioned to my son that I we would probably have to be satisfied with the five late model heat races.
 After Hall of Famer Billy Moyer took the lead on lap six and opened up a sizable lead, I began searching through the field for battles for position, while still keeping an eye on the leader. Although about ten of the 25 starters eventually pulled out, there was plenty of action behind the leaders. And with a handful of laps to go, you could see that either Moyer was slowing a bit or Ryan Unzicker was getting faster. Unzicker, the 2014 ALMS region champion, a top UMP regular season and Summernationals contender, shadowed the veteran, then tried to find racing room in the very bottom groove of the slicked off 3/8 mile oval. Then on the final circuit, as the top two headed to turns three and four, Unzicker made a move reminiscent of the final turn of the Lucas Oil late model nationals at Knoxville Raceway in 2014. That is when Brian Birkhofer went to the top of the track and used his momentum to overtake Scott Bloomquist at the checkers. Unzicker made the same type of move with the same result, and took home $ 10,555.00 for his daring effort. I don't know if the large crowd was thrilled for Ryan, or just in awe of his charge, but everyone was on their feet as the checkers waved!
 What had the makings of a bit of a " Ho-Hum" race turned into one that will be remembered and talked about for a while!
  Late afternoon showers hit the Quincy area around 3:00 PM, and just minutes after I received a text that the ALMS/MARS/Cornbelt Clash stop tonight at East Moline Speedway had fallen victim to weather, a call came telling me that the weekly show scheduled at Quincy Raceways had suffered a similar fate. So we will have to be satisfied with one night of racing this week and start making plans for next week. Maybe we will see you Racin' Down the Road.